Moulin Lebriez in Mentque-Nortbécourt

Moulin Lebriez is an 18th-century tower windmill standing on a hilltop above the village of Mentque-Nortbécourt in Pas-de-Calais. Its limestone tower and rotating cap carrying the sails are visible from a distance and have long served as a landmark across this stretch of French Flanders.

When was the mill built?

A date of 1714, carved into a stone inside the tower, marks the year of construction. It was built as a typical regional tower mill: a fixed masonry base topped by a rotating cap that could be turned, together with the sails, to face the wind. This design let millers grind grain regardless of wind direction, a practical advantage on the exposed, breezy hills of Pas-de-Calais.

How long did the mill actually grind grain?

The mill operated as a working business through most of the 19th century. From 1897 it was owned and run by miller Alphonse Lebriez, whose name the site still carries today. The Lebriez family kept milling grain until around 1950, when the operation finally stopped.

What happened to it after milling stopped?

Once the commercial activity ended, the building began to deteriorate. In 1964, Michel Hoyez bought the mill and saved it from ruin, though without restoring its industrial function. Over a decade later, its heritage value was formally recognised: in 1977, Moulin Lebriez was listed as a monument historique.

Do the sails still turn?

The sails were brought back into working order in December 1981, following mechanical repairs. That didn't last: in August 2014, after a storm damaged the main axle, the sails were removed for safety reasons. The mill has stood without them ever since, though the tower and cap remain intact.

Who looks after the mill today?

Since 2015, the site has belonged to the Communauté d'agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer, which took it over with an eye toward conservation and public access. As part of restoration work, a new roof was fitted to the tower in December 2019, and further work carried out into 2020 aimed to prepare the grounds for visitors.

What can you see there now?

Today, Moulin Lebriez functions mainly as a landscape landmark and a waypoint for walkers exploring the countryside around Mentque-Nortbécourt. It is occasionally opened during cultural events and local heritage days, and its elevated position gives views over the surrounding fields and villages of Pas-de-Calais. The masonry tower and its cap can be viewed from the outside year-round.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Moulin Lebriez located? On a hilltop in the village of Mentque-Nortbécourt, in the Pas-de-Calais department, Hauts-de-France region.

When was the windmill built? In 1714, according to a date carved into a stone inside the tower.

Where does the name Moulin Lebriez come from? From Alphonse Lebriez, the miller who ran the mill from 1897 until around 1950.

Does the mill still have its sails? No — the sails were removed in August 2014 after storm damage to the axle, and they have not been reinstalled since.

Is Moulin Lebriez a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a monument historique since 1977.

Who manages the site today? Since 2015 the mill has been owned by the Communauté d'agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer, which maintains it and opens it to visitors during cultural events.